Root Just rooted w/o unlocking bootloader, what's next?

[0xMaLx0]

Hello Everyone, and thanks in advance for your advice/suggestions,

So, since I've got the Verizon version of this phone (Xperia Play R800x) the 2.3.4 update has not been released for me yet. All I want to do is update the phone to the stock 2.3.4. This is now my 4th handset because when I put it on the charger it goes into docking mode and will only come out (sometimes) if I turn off/back on. I figure it's a software issue which is why I wanna see if the new update will fix it.

I rooted my phone last night w/o unlocking the bootloader using this (Unlock Root 2.2): http://talk.sonyericsson.com/message/144864#144864 It worked just fine and I got the Superuser installed. Then I downloaded the stock 2.3.4 ROM .zip file from sonyericsson.com, I have yet to install, a few questions:
1. ROM Manger/CWR isn't compatible with the Play to do a nandroid backup, I used AstroFile for the apps. Since I just want to go to an updated stock ROM do I really need to worry about doing a complete ROM backup?
2. I checked out this link Main: Xperia Play 2.3.4 minor update 4.0.2.A.0.62 to manually update which involves UNlocking the bootloader, can I still use this method even though I'm not unlocked?
3. Do I have to install a flash tool to install the .zip ROM file once it's on the SD's root folder? Or can I just use a file manager/installer? (I've seen it mentioned on this forum & others but with no explanation how to do it.)
4. What app do I need/how can I delete stock ROM files once I get updated?
5. And is there anything else I need to do/know that you would recommend with a rooted phone?
Sorry if this seems UBER noob-ie, it is... First time I've ever tried something like this. Hell, I'll admit it, it's actually my first smartphone ever...

 

[paxchristos]

(same answer as other thread)

First off, DON'T UPDATE YOUR R800X TO 2.3.4. YOU WILL BRICK YOUR PHONE. PERIOD.

Hello Everyone, and thanks in advance for your advice/suggestions,

So, since I've got the Verizon version of this phone (Xperia Play R800x) the 2.3.4 update has not been released for me yet. All I want to do is update the phone to the stock 2.3.4. This is now my 4th handset because when I put it on the charger it goes into docking mode and will only come out (sometimes) if I turn off/back on. I figure it's a software issue which is why I wanna see if the new update will fix it.

The best way to get it outta dock mode is to:
1) unplug your power
2) unplug your headphones jack
3) plug in your headphones jack
4) wait for the little headphones symbol to appear
5) unplug your headphones jack
6) Tada! Dock mode off again
(No, I don't know of a permanent way to disable dock mode, but this method is better than getting a new phone 4 times )

I rooted my phone last night w/o unlocking the bootloader using this (Unlock Root 2.2): http://talk.sonyericsson.com/message/144864#144864 It worked just fine and I got the Superuser installed. Then I downloaded the stock 2.3.4 ROM .zip file from sonyericsson.com, I have yet to install, a few questions:
1. ROM Manger/CWR isn't compatible with the Play to do a nandroid backup, I used AstroFile for the apps. Since I just want to go to an updated stock ROM do I really need to worry about doing a complete ROM backup?

As mentioned before THIS UPDATE WILL BRICK YOUR PHONE IF YOU FIND SOMEWAY TO UPDATE TO IT. PERIOD. IT'S NOT MADE FOR THE R800x

If you really want clockwork recovery mod on your phone, go here: xda-developers - View Single Post - Recovery for locked bootloaders!!!!!

They have a way to install cwm onto phones with a locked bootloader and make nandroid backups (and there are a few ROMs based off the stock kernels you can install)

2. I checked out this link Main: Xperia Play 2.3.4 minor update 4.0.2.A.0.62 to manually update which involves UNlocking the bootloader, can I still use this method even though I'm not unlocked?

Once again, don't do it, it's a trap.
If you want your bootloader unlocked, you need to pay for it (the payment covers the operating costs of unlocking bootloaders)

3. Do I have to install a flash tool to install the .zip ROM file once it's on the SD's root folder? Or can I just use a file manager/installer? (I've seen it mentioned on this forum & others but with no explanation how to do it.)

... ...
Ok, so here's how it works
Flashtool is a windows (java based) program which allows users of the Sony Ericsson Xperia line phones to install a signed update file to their phone. It works completely off windows, so there is no need to have the file on your phone.

Once again, tho, if you want to keep your phone from becoming a paperweight, DON'T UPDATE TO 2.3.4 UNTIL VERIZON RELEASES THEIR VERSION (which most likely will include the patch for the current method used for rooting)

4. What app do I need/how can I delete stock ROM files once I get updated?

Stock ROM files get automatically written over, you don't have to worry about them.

5. And is there anything else I need to do/know that you would recommend with a rooted phone?

Free:
1) Titanium backup (because it can backup the data included with your app, not just the app itself) (also a paid option, but i don't remeber what the differences are between paid and free)
2) Adfree (if you've ever played with adblock plus for firefox/chrome, this does the same thing... to in app ads as well)
3) A script manager and v6 supercharger (v6 supercharger is a script which helps optimize ram link: [Script][U9 RC4!] ALL WHEEL DRIVE -=V6 SuperCharger=- FIX RAM & Launchers, 3G & KAK! - xda-developers . Read before you install, it might be over your head, but the more you can learn what it does, the more it'll help you understand your phone)
4) No frills CPU (This program will let you underclock (while you're on stock kernel) which helps improve battery life (completely optional, of course))
Paid:
1) Dual mount sd widget (do you ever want to be able to do stuff on your phone while it's transferring files to your computer? I know I do, and this is a godsend. Now I can do whatever I want on my phone, because the sdcard is never unmounted )

Sorry if this seems UBER noob-ie, it is... First time I've ever tried something like this. Hell, I'll admit it, it's actually my first smartphone ever...

Well then good sir, welcome to android. I'm sure you'll have fun, and this is a great forum to learn more about your phone!

If you need anymore help, post a reply in this thread and i'll answer when i have time

 

[0xMaLx0]

Thanks so much Pax for your very thorough and helpful reply. I DO have a few more (simpler) questions before I actually install the ROM. Will post those as soon as I can get to my laptop.

 

[netizenmt]

Pax r0xx0r

 

[0xMaLx0]

First off, DON'T UPDATE YOUR R800X TO 2.3.4. YOU WILL BRICK YOUR PHONE. PERIOD.

So then what ROM would you suggest? I don't need anything super fancy, just a basic one that'll get rid of some bloatware.

If you really want clockwork recovery mod on your phone, go here: xda-developers - View Single Post - Recovery for locked bootloaders!!!!!
They have a way to install cwm onto phones with a locked bootloader and make nandroid backups (and there are a few ROMs based off the stock kernels you can install)

Do I really NEED CWR? Also, I installed Titanium (free version to try) and when I go to the backup tab, none of my apps show up, they show up on the phone (obviously) and in Astrofile but don't come up in Titanium.

If you want your bootloader unlocked, you need to pay for it (the payment covers the operating costs of unlocking bootloaders)

Nah, I'm cool without the unlocked bootloader, since I'm new to all this I want to prevent voiding my warranty without recourse if at all possible. Can I do most of the same things with it locked?

K, so just to verify, once I got all my backups and find a ROM, I DL the flashtool on the computer, download the ROM independent of the flashtool, and select it in the flashtool when I'm ready to install then follow the instructions in the flashtool, right?

 

[paxchristos]

I'll respond tomorrow, I've got a sick wife/kid I've had to take care of today...

 

[0xMaLx0]

oooh... ouch. No worries man, take care of the fam; that's WAY more important.

 

[paxchristos]

So then what ROM would you suggest? I don't need anything super fancy, just a basic one that'll get rid of some bloatware.

The roms that are out now are kinda fun, but overall there's not really a big difference between the ones available and stock 2.3.3 (there is a R800i style rom out there, but the developer is currently m.i.a. for development)

Do I really NEED CWR?

Unless you plan on loading a different rom, then no. On the other hand, if you're sufficiently afraid that somehow your phone might get screwed up, for whatever reason, CWM has nandroid, which has been known to save lots of time and effort

Also, I installed Titanium (free version to try) and when I go to the backup tab, none of my apps show up, they show up on the phone (obviously) and in Astrofile but don't come up in Titanium.

Did you give it time to load all the apps into it (sometimes it can take a little while)

If after a couple of minutes it still doesn't show anything, send an email off to the developers and see if they have any ideas (most app developers are pretty good about responding relatively quickly)

Nah, I'm cool without the unlocked bootloader, since I'm new to all this I want to prevent voiding my warranty without recourse if at all possible. Can I do most of the same things with it locked?

Right now the only things I think you can do with a locked bootloader vs an unlocked one, is overclocking (requires a custom kernel (unlocked bootloader)) and the ability run any rom that requires a custom kernel (Right now the only that works for our phones and requires a custom kernel is Cyanogenmod, which is a vanilla version of android (no bloat, but also right now touchpad support is iffy)

K, so just to verify, once I got all my backups and find a ROM, I DL the flashtool on the computer, download the ROM independent of the flashtool, and select it in the flashtool when I'm ready to install then follow the instructions in the flashtool, right?

Right now the only way to flash a new rom is using CWM,

The two options are for roms are
ICX Themed Gingerbread- [ROM][CDMA]GBTweaked[2.3.3][v04][1/6/12] - xda-developers
and
R800i on the R800x - [CDMA][ROM] R800x with UK firmware - xda-developers

Personally, the easiest way (for me) to remove bloat is not to flash a new rom,
but instead using titanium to remove apps that are useless
(list of safe to remove apps is here, most of the way down the first post
State of Development on R800x (ROM and Kernel List) - xda-developers)

 

[0xMaLx0]

First of all, I hope the wife and kid are okay and they didn't make you rip ALL your hair out
And secondly: YOU ARE AWESOME!!!

I'm gunna try to get everything together tonight and see if I can get the R800i ROM loaded tonight or tomorrow. My boyfriend's bro has the AT&T 800i and he's never had any problems with it, so it's worth a try for me until Verizon gets off their lazy a$$es and release 2.3.4.

I'll let ya know how it all goes, thanks again!!

 

[paxchristos]

First of all, I hope the wife and kid are okay and they didn't make you rip ALL your hair out
And secondly: YOU ARE AWESOME!!!

I'm gunna try to get everything together tonight and see if I can get the R800i ROM loaded tonight or tomorrow. My boyfriend's bro has the AT&T 800i and he's never had any problems with it, so it's worth a try for me until Verizon gets off their lazy a$$es and release 2.3.4.

I'll let ya know how it all goes, thanks again!!

Don't wish too hard that verizon gets 2.3.4 out, my guess is that it'll patch the only exploit we currently have for root (minus unlocking the bootloader, of course)